24 is on its way back, thank goodness. It's been a long, long time since we've watched Jack Bauer inflict his unique style of badassery upon the viewing public. The buzz around both the new season of 24 and its upcoming Africa-set two hour prequel movie is high, and the rotten taste that the end of season 6 left in 24 fans' mouths has seemingly been washed away over the long hiatus. Fans, and I say this as one, are ready for 24 and Jack Bauer and Kiefer Sutherland to return. But, are they ready for another Bauer to return to the 24 universe? Well, it appears that this will be the case in season 7. A Bauer returns, and some fans might be a tiny little bit upset about it.

Michael Ausiello has reported that Elisha Cuthbert has indeed signed a contract with 24 to return to the series for an end of the season arc. Not only will she return to the series, she will return with Jack Bauer's first grand-child. It also appears that the baby's daddy is either out of the picture, or someone we have not met before.

Kim Bauer often drew the ire of hardcore 24 fans in the first few seasons of the series. I never, personally, had a problem with the character (one contributing factor: Elisha Cuthbert is hot). But, she was pretty annoying at times, especially when she got her job at CTU.

Season 7 of 24 will premiere sometime in January of 2009. For the first time in 24 history, the setting has been moved out of Los Angeles, and will instead take place in Washington, D.C. The prequel film, 24: Exile, will air on FOX on November 23.